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“Stede?” Ed called out, tentatively pushing the front door open.
Stede’s text in reply to Ed saying he was setting off so would be with them in 20 minutes had said ‘just come straight in, the door is open’, but it did feel a bit weird to just waltz straight into someone else’s house.
Even if that someone was your boyfriend of two months. And best friend of four months. And the man who completely and utterly turned your life around for the better. And you were taking the kids out for the day today with him.
But, Ed reflected as he toed his shoes off in the hallway, in a way it wasn’t weird, he’d felt more at home at Stede’s house than he had anywhere he had lived his entire adult life.
Ed had met Alma and Louis a couple of weeks ago on a chill evening and a handful of times since. He’d joined them for some meals out, even picked them up when joining Stede on the school run and he’d met Mary and Doug (both of whom he instantly adored as well) but today was the first day he and Stede were taking them on a proper day out. They were going to the zoo - Ed was possibly more excited than the kids were.
“Hi darling, we’re in here, come in” He heard the familiar voice call out from the living room, the door slightly ajar. Ed could hear the rumbling volume of some cartoon on. He grinned a little, being called darling by Stede was still new to him and he adored it. He’d never been someone’s darling before now.
Ed entered the room to see Stede was sitting on the sofa, Alma on the floor in front of him sitting between his legs while he was braiding her blonde hair into two neat French plaits.
Louis was curled up in the other armchair, feet tucked underneath him, his eyes glued on the TV and munching a piece of toast.
“Hey guys” Ed walked in, awkwardly stood for a second. He wasn’t entirely sure where he fit into this little unit at the moment. He loved Stede, and he adored the kids upon first meeting, fondly remembering little 11-year-old Alma giving him a hug as he left and thanking him for making her dad happy. His heart could have burst.
But this was new to him. This family malarkey. At least one with sibling dynamics and loving parents.
(He is not including his own mother in that, Anne Teach is an absolute angel but his childhood had been hard, and she hadn’t come out of her marriage unscathed either. It took them a little while to get back on track after his Dad died when he was 13. Took him a while to understand he could and would be capable of love)
“Hi Ed” Alma said brightly from her position on the floor giving him an enthusiastic wave.
“Al sweetheart, be careful no sudden movements” Stede yelped as his daughter lurched her arm forward and some hair slipped from his grasp. “I’ve only just learnt how to do this without your mother’s help, no escaping from me” he teased.
“Sorry Dad” she said leaning back to settle into position again.
Ed grinned as Alma caught his eye and she gave him an encouraging smile.
“You guys excited for a day at the zoo?” He asked.
“I want to see some penguins” Louis proffered, through a mouthful of toast.
“Amazing, love penguins, me too mate” Ed replied, perching onto the arm of the sofa next to Stede. Stede was a little occupied, but Ed reached out a hand just to quickly brush over his boyfriend’s back in greeting, Stede leant slightly into Ed’s touch, a sweet little acknowledgement.
“Do you want a drink or anything darling? I would offer to go get you one but I’ve sort of got my hands full” Stede smiled at him, gesturing to Alma’s hair. He was concentrating hard, Ed could tell, clearly determined to be able to do his daughter’s hair independently.
“Have I got time for a coffee?” Ed said.
“Of course. Louis still needs to get dressed before we go anywhere” Stede said, looking pointedly over to his son.
“But Dad, you always say we have to wear what we feel comfortable in. I’m comfy in my pyjamas” the 9-year-old moaned.
Stede finished one of Alma’s braids with a flourish, tying it off with a little pink hair tie. “Yes Lou, I do say that. You have to wear what you feel is best for your self-expression, but I fear your pyjamas with what I really hope is only a jam stain on them might not be entirely appropriate for outside is all. I promise you can get straight back into your pjs as soon as we get home”
“Can we have a pyjama party tonight?” Louis suddenly perked up, looking expectedly at his father, who was finishing the final plait of Alma’s second braid.
“You know what I think maybe we can” Stede replied.
“Is Ed going to join us?” Alma asked with a smile.
“Yeah, can Ed make us a blanket fort again?” Louis asked enthusiastically.
Ed and Stede caught eyes, a mini silent conversation going from eye contact alone.
Yes of course you can stay if you want too.
Are you sure?
I’d love you too.
Ed grinned shyly and shrugged. “Yeah I can. If that’s cool with you guys”
Stede was looking at him, with so much love and a small, honeyed smile on his face. “Pyjama party it is then Lou! Now go get dressed sweetheart please”
“Okay Dad” he said jumping up and scarpering out of the room.
“Wait Lou take your - oh never mind”
“I’ve got it babe” Ed laughed, making his way to the kitchen picking up Louis’s plate from the chair as he went past.
Ed flicked the kettle on, rinsed the plate and put it in the dishwasher, pulling a mug down from the cupboard and grabbing the coffee. He realised with a start he just knew where everything was here now. It felt so natural.
He was just putting the last of his seven sugars into the coffee mug when he heard some footsteps and soon enough, a strong pair of arms slinked around him, pulling him in against a firm body.
“Hi handsome” Ed said laughing, rubbing Stede’s forearm where it was now splayed across his chest.
“Hello my love” Stede pressed a kiss onto his cheek, Ed could feel his smile as he did so. “You don’t have to stay tonight if you don’t want too. I know that was a bit of a pressure situation”
Ed turned round in Stede’s arms to face him properly, his own hands reaching to settle on Stede’s hips just as Stede came to rest his on his shoulders, fitting together in their usual stance. “I want too. It’ll be fun. As long as they don’t get sick of me by the end of the day and just want their Dad to themselves”
Stede grinned. “Please. They see me all the time, they love spending time with you”
Ed smiled, the thought of those two little munchkins actually wanting to spend time with him sent a lovely warm feeling through his chest. He leant forward to press a kiss to Stede’s lips with a grin. And then maybe a second kiss. And a third that lasted a little longer.
“Ew you’re worse than Mum and Doug” a voice popped up as Alma came into the kitchen, grabbing an apple from the bowl on the table.
Stede laughed, pulling back from Ed but without letting him go. “Sorry sweetheart. We’ll try not to embarrass you any further. You got everything you need?”
“Yeah, just need to find my shoes” she said, through a mouthful of apple, wandering out of the kitchen.
“DAAAAAAD” Louis shouted from upstairs. “WHERE IS MY GIRAFFE T-SHIRT”
Stede rolled his eyes and pressed another kiss to Ed’s lips quickly. “Be back in a minute; I can guarantee it’s in his wardrobe right in front of him”
Just over an hour later, after Ed had downed his coffee and a few more false starts with outfits before leaving - Louis found his giraffe shirt but ultimately decided he would be better in the rocket-ship one and a thankfully uneventful drive, they made it to the zoo.
They wandered around the park, Ed and Louis excitedly pointing out what the animals were doing, taking particular note of very sweet looking meerkat family where they spent a good twenty minutes just watching them. Stede and Alma both tended to be more interested in reading the signs at each area, learning more about the animal species itself. Although Stede was very happy in the Insect Exhibition, almost dragging Ed over to see the rosy maple moth.
The kids were excellent at managing to persuade Stede to get them snacks – “look Dad it is better value if you get the bigger refillable drink cup and we can take it home!” and Ed had to stifle a giggle when Stede agreed to the second bucket of popcorn that day when Alma winked at Ed behind her Dad’s back.
After they had exhausted every last possible corner of the zoo and seen every animal at least twice, Louis requested a final return to the penguin enclosure before they headed to the gift shop.
Ed was hovering over a pair of plushie octopi that had magnets in one of their tentacles, so they remained attached to one another. He could give one to Stede but then they would be separated which made him more sad to think about then he would have expected. Maybe he’d suggest they live at Stede’s house … where they belonged. A twinge of something pulled at his chest, an ache for that familiar feeling of home.
“This is a zoo why do they have pirate themed toys?!” Stede exclaimed suddenly from behind Ed. He picked up the plushie octopi and held them in the crook of his arm. Turning round, he saw Alma and Louis were both pouring over the pirate display, fake foam swords in their hands.
“Hey don’t knock pirates I love them, I made an entire living out of a pirate-themed game”
“I’m not! I do too, but why at a zoo? I don’t remember seeing any pirates running around”
“Ed! Here try this one!” Alma bundled a hat into his hand, a stereotypical pirate hat with its arch and a skull and crossbones on it but this was also bright pink and had a lovely fluffy trim on it. Ed handed her the plush toys and placed the hat on his head. He struck a little pose, foot out to the side, hands on hips, doing his best Peter Pan impression.
“How do I look?” He asked.
“Adorable” Stede replied, a small smitten grin on his face.
Ed blushed and pulled the hat off his head, swapping back with Alma. “Think my pirate hat wearing days are over poppet but if you and Lou make a decision on a toy to remember the day each, I’ll get you them as a little treat”
“Oh Ed you don’t have to –“ Stede started to chime in.
“I want too, I’ve had a great day. I want to remember it. That’s why I’m getting us these little guys” Ed made one of the octopi wave at Stede and he waved back, almost shyly.
Alma and Louis scampered off excitedly. To Ed’s delight, Louis selected a toy meerkat and Alma settled for a red panda claiming, “they are cute but independent”.
Once home, the kids tried to angle for a takeaway seeing as it was a pyjama party night but Stede bargained that as they had lunch out and copious amounts of snacks at the zoo, that he promised next pyjama party they had they would order both pizza and cake but today, let’s stick with the chicken pasta bake and some green veggies he’d planned to cook anyway.
“Go on you two, go get changed, and decide what film you want to watch eh? No pressing play until we are all there though” Stede said shooing the kids upstairs.
Ed followed Stede into the kitchen. “Can I help with anything babe?” He asked.
“Honestly not really. I made the pasta bake yesterday; it just needs to heat up in the oven and the vegetables just involves pulling them out the freezer to stick in the steamer. Why don’t you go get comfy too? I won’t be long. And see if you get them to agree on a film maybe. Do you want to borrow some pjs or do you have anything in the car?”
Truthfully yes Ed did have a t-shirt and shorts in the car that he could sleep in but he’d absolutely rather borrow some of Stede’s.
“I’ll borrow some if that’s okay”. The thought of being cosied up in some of Stede’s beautiful silk pyjamas sounded wonderful.
“Of course, head up, you know where everything is” Stede smiled at him, sending Ed out of the room with cheeky pat on the butt. Ed turned round to raise his eyebrow at his boyfriend in mock annoyance but quickly leant back to peck him on the cheek.
He got up to Stede’s room and went into his (sort of) secret walk-in wardrobe, hidden behind a bookshelf and went straight to the drawer where Stede kept his pjs. It was only as he was pulling on a lovely deep purple pair of pjs and shook his hair out of the bun he’d pulled it up into earlier, leaning over to open the drawer where Stede kept a spare comb to detangle it, that Ed realised he knew where everything was in this room too.
It felt like second nature being here. And wasn’t that something?
Heading back downstairs, while Stede finished getting their dinner ready, Ed made a start with the blanket fort, using the table as an anchor point. He sent Louis and Alma off to gather their duvets to settle in on and got to work tucking them in.
Soon enough, they were cosy in their respective blanket nests, dinner on their laps and Moana was on. Stede and Ed took advantage of the sofa being empty whilst the kids were on the floor. Stede even relented on the unhealthy food allowing Alma to bring in two extra packets of sweets for pudding. Initially sat side by side as they ate, Ed’s ankle resting over Stede’s but as their plates were put away, Ed simply curled himself into Stede’s side and rested his hand on his boyfriend’s stomach, feeling so utterly warm and content.
But the long and exciting day had taken it out of the kids as the evening crept on and it was only halfway through the film, when both children were fast asleep in their cosy blanket forts.
“I think we’ve tuckered them out” he said quietly, squeezing Ed’s shoulder where his arm lay around him.
“They’re such good kids” Ed smiled in return. “I’ve really loved today Stede. Thank you for inviting me and letting me share their day with you”
“Ed I’ve loved it too. It’s been so lovely having you here. They love you. I love you. You just fit in with us darling. I don’t want you to leave” Stede smiled, tipping his head to rest on Ed’s and his hand brushing lightly up and down his boyfriend’s arm.
“Well I’m not. I’m staying tonight right?” Ed said.
“Of course darling. I just mean, it would be nice if you didn’t ever have to leave”
They met each other in a gaze, Ed tilting his head up as Stede leant down, meeting in the middle with a soft tender kiss.
“Ed?” Stede whispered.
“Yeah?”
“I’m about to say something possibly insane”
“Okay”
“I don’t want you to leave”
“I’m not” Ed narrowed his eyes at his boyfriend. Had they not just confirmed that… he thought.
“No I mean ever” Stede paused and inhaled sharply. “Edward Teach. Will you move in with me?”
There was a beat of silence as Ed took in the request. Stede’s eyes fell a little.
“I’m sorry it’s too soon. It’s mad. I just thought. I just want to you to be here when I come home. I want a life with you, I want to make a home with you. Forget I said anyth- mmph!”
Ed swiftly cut Stede off from his ramble, fingers sliding into the curls at the back of his head, pressing his lips to Stede’s. Ed felt Stede soften against him; kissing him back, pulling Ed closer towards him using the arm that had been wrapped around his shoulder.
Ed pulled back but kept hold of Stede’s face, smiling at him. Stede was smiling back ever so sweetly.
“So is that a yes?” Stede whispered.
“Yes you absolute lunatic it’s a yes. Of course it’s a yes. Babe I want everything you just said too. Who cares if it’s too soon? I’ve been waiting forever to get on with the rest of my life. I want to get started. I want to make a home with you more than anything” Ed said, his thumb stroking lightly over Stede’s cheek, tipping his head forward to rest his forehead on Stede’s.
“I love you”
“I love you too” Ed said earnestly leaning in for another kiss, Stede was leaning back to pull Ed on top of him so they were comfier and possibly so he could deepen the kiss a little when a small voice called out.
“Can you two shush I’m trying to sleep here” Alma groaned from somewhere within her blanket nest, her head popping up over the top of it.
Stede chuckled finally tearing his eyes away from Ed to look over at his daughter and pushing backwards a little. “Sorry sweetheart. Time for bed?” He asked.
She nodded sleepily, stretching to pull herself up, pulling her duvet out of the fort, causing it to collapse. She grimaced as it fell and was about to bend down to start tidying up.
“Al, darling, it’s okay. Ed and I will tidy up. You go to bed” Stede said kindly, finally untangling himself from Ed to stand up.
She smiled, yawning again. “Night Dad” she said, pausing to give him a hug. Ed was surprised when he suddenly found her arms quickly wrapping around his neck too where he was still sat on the sofa. “Night Ed. Thanks for hanging out with us today. And for the red panda”
“Anytime kiddo. Night”
They turned their attentions to Louis who was still fast asleep in his blanket nest.
“He looks so cosy” Ed mused.
“He does but even a nine-year-old will get a bad back if we leave him to sleep like that” Stede laughed, marvelling at his position. He was simultaneously curled up and had limbs spread out everywhere, it was kind of impressive. Stede bent down to scoop his son into his arms, Louis mumbled but stayed asleep.
“You go put him to bed, I’ll sort this out” Ed said, gesturing to the room, blankets were strewn everywhere, and remnants of dinner plates and snacks were left haphazardly on the table. Stede nodded and smiled gratefully at him.
Ed folded the blankets up, leaving them on the sofa. They could sort them properly tomorrow. He gathered the plates and glasses and sweet wrappers, putting them in the bin and taking everything through to the kitchen.
He emptied the dishwasher and then began to refill it with their various crockery from the evening.
He startled when he suddenly saw Stede stood in the doorway smiling at him.
“What?” Ed said.
“You already know where to put things away” he replied.
“Yeah well. If I’m going to be living here soon, figured I probably should start learning that kind of stuff” he said, grinning.
“So you’d thought about it? Living here?” Stede asked, raising an eyebrow.
“Maybe. A little. Okay a lot. Kinda felt like home the first time I came round here to be honest” Ed said, blushing as he shut the dishwasher again.
He turned back round to find Stede was a lot closer this time and he was being wrapped into a gloriously tight hug.
“We’re doing this aren’t we?” Stede said happily.
“Oh hell yeah we are babe. Can’t wait to annoy you by leaving hair in the shower and mugs strewn around the house” Ed said, his arms tightening round Stede’s waist.
“I’m still going to need at least 80% of the wardrobe space” Stede said chuckling.
“You can have the wardrobe space. Just don’t ever stop hugging me like this”
“Never darling. I can’t wait to have you here”
They pulled back a little to drop a quick peck onto each other’s lips.
A lifetime of this? Ed thought to himself. Perfect.